Method of manufacturing boron coated straws for neutron detection through spiral winding and welding

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed with a continuous straw forming process for spiral winding boron-coated foil into a rounded tube or cylinder with an overlap and tight contact between the spiral edges, and a welding process utilizing a high precision fiber laser to weld the spiral seem forming a straw tube.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 340,368 (“the '368 Application”) filed May 23, 2016. The '368 Application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes, including but not limited to, all portions describing the straw manufacturing process and equipment of the present invention and those specific embodiments disclosed, those portions describing boron-coated straw detectors in general as background and for use with specific embodiments of the present invention, and those portions describing other aspects of manufacturing and testing of boron-coated straws that may relate to the present invention.GOVERNMENTAL SPONSORSHIP[0002]This invention was made with support under HDTRA-1-14-C-0047 awarded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency and under contract HR0011-14-C-0096 awarded by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The government may have certain rights in the invention.REFERENCE TO A SEQUENTI...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0029]A method and apparatus for manufacturing boron-coated straws for use in neutron detector systems is disclosed comprising the steps of spiral wrapping boron-coated foil tape from a spool onto a mandrel, moving the foil along the mandrel, laser welding the spiral seam to form the straw, and cutting the straw into the desired length. Preferably, the system is automated and integrated such that the process winds the tape, welds the seam, and cuts the straw through a signal integrated work station that minimizes operator intervention. A preferred embodiment of the system for implementing the process includes a tension controlled reel for supplying coated foil, a mandrel having an outside diameter near the preferred diameter of the straw to be manufactured, a motor driven belt system for advancing the foil and providing a consistent overlap of the spirally wound foil edges, a laser welding system for welding the tube seem together, a velocity meter for precisely measuring the rate the tube progresses, and a cutting system for automatically cutting the straw into the preferred lengths.

Problems solved by technology

On the other hand, the worldwide supply of the gold standard of the neutron detection medium, the precious 3He gas, has sharply dropped over the years.

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